HONG KONG, Gov Rpts - SAR, INFLUENZA-LIKE ILLNESS AND ARI UPDATE(S)-MARCH 23+

[Giuseppe]

Re: _|HONG KONG, Gov Rpts - SAR, INFLUENZA-LIKE ILLNESS AND ARI UPDATE(S)|_|MARCH 23+|

Castle Peak Hospital update on respiratory cases
May 28 2008, 14.15.00

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

''Regarding an earlier announcement by Castle Peak Hospital (CPH) about seven patients of a male long stay ward who presented with respiratory symptoms, New Territories West Cluster announced the following updates today (28 May):

''Today two more patients in the ward were transferred to Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) for isolation treatment.

''The nine patients in TMH are now in stable condition.

''A series of microbiology tests were being done and positive result of Human Metapneumo virus was found today in the sample of seven patients.

''Other investigation results are still pending.

''According to the laboratory findings, it was concluded that the cluster of cases has been caused by the Human Metapneumo Virus.

''Infection control measures of the ward concerned at CPH would continue to be stepped up.

''Patients were being cohorted for treatment.

''Full personal protection equipment is required for all staff entering into the ward. Admission and visiting to the ward have been suspended. All other patients in the ward are under close surveillance, contact tracing are underway.

''Staff deployment was being arranged to ensure smooth running of the ward while adhering to infection control principles.

''The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for follow up.
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http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200805/28/P200805280302.htm

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[Shiloh]

Re: _|HONG KONG, Gov Rpts - SAR, INFLUENZA-LIKE ILLNESS AND ARI UPDATE(S)|_|MARCH 23+|

Source: http://www.news.gov.hk/en/category/h...529en05001.htm
May 28, 2008

Surveillance
2 more patients treated in virus outbreak
*
Hospital Authority

Two more Castle Peak Hospital patients from a long-stay men's ward have been transferred to Tuen Mun Hospital with respiratory symptoms for isolation treatment, bringing the number of people in the outbreak to nine, the Hospital Authority says.

Among these nine patients from a Castle Peak Hospital male long stay ward seven have been confirmed positive to human metapneumo virus - or MPV. The virus causes common colds in grown-ups and severe coughing, wheezing and congestion in children.

The ward has bolstered infection-control measures, with full personal protection equipment required for staff entering the ward and admission and ward visits suspended. All other patients in the ward are under close surveillance and contact tracing is underway.

The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection. More details about MPV and its prevention can be found here.

[Giuseppe]

Re: _|HONG KONG, Gov Rpts - SAR, INFLUENZA-LIKE ILLNESS AND ARI UPDATE(S)|_|MARCH 23+|

Report under influenza surveillance arrangement
June 1 2008, 13.01.00

A spokesman for the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health said a new report involving a 10-year-old girl was received today (June 1) through the influenza surveillance arrangement set up by the CHP with private and public hospitals.

The girl, who had known medical illness, developed fever, cough and shortness of breath on May 27.

Her condition deteriorated and was admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital on the second day.

She had myocarditis and is now in stable condition.

Preliminary test result on her sample showed positive result to Influenza A.

The spokesman reminded members of the public to stay alert by taking precautionary measures against influenza.

They are advised to maintain good personal as well as environmental hygiene and build up good body immunity by having a proper diet, regular exercise, and adequate rests, reducing stress and avoiding smoking.

More details of preventive tips on influenza are available in CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk).
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http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200806/01/P200806010188.htm

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[Giuseppe]

Re: _|HONG KONG, Gov Rpts - SAR, INFLUENZA-LIKE ILLNESS AND ARI UPDATE(S)|_|MARCH 23+|

[FROM WEEKLY EPIDEMIOLOGICAL RECORD, VOL 83 NO 23, JUNE 6th, 2008 - http://www.who.int/entity/wer/2008/wer8323.pdf - IOH]

* Hong Kong SAR China.

Moderate influenza activity was reported, predominantly influenza A (H3) and B (mostly Yamagata lineage) viruses.

Influenza viruses A (H1) were also detected.
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http://www.who.int/wer/2008/wer8323.pdf

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[Treyfish]

Re: _|HONG KONG, Gov Rpts - SAR, INFLUENZA-LIKE ILLNESS AND ARI UPDATE(S)|_|MARCH 23+|

A Hong Kong hospital three children with respiratory virus has a fever symptoms of cough
At 14:19 on June 12, 2008
June 12 - According to the Hong Kong Wen Wei Po reported in Hong Kong Queen Mary Hospital spokesman confirmed on the 12th, the hospital ward of a children and young people, three patients (aged from 7 months to 3 years old) since starting this month on the 2nd Have symptoms like fever, cough and runny nose symptoms. The hospital has for the children to carry out the necessary virus test results confirmed that the patients of respiratory syncytial virus positive. Isolation of the patients are receiving treatment. Of which two are chronically ill children in need of intensive care units.

Hospital patients to parents to explain the patient's condition. Of the ward has stepped up infection control measures. Queen Mary Hospital has reported the case to the Hospital Authority and the Center for Health Protection for follow-up. http://66.102.9.104/translate_c?hl=e...57450367.shtml

[Treyfish]

Re: _|HONG KONG, Gov Rpts - SAR, INFLUENZA-LIKE ILLNESS AND ARI UPDATE(S)|_|MARCH 23+|

Hong Kong children aged 2-6 may be a free influenza vaccine (1)

]

At 15:55 on June 12, 2008



<CENTER><TABLE cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=1 align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=middle><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=middle></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></CENTER> Data for: two children wearing masks in Hong Kong under the escort of the lead through the streets. Due to a number of schools students suffering from influenza and has three children died due to influenza, the Hong Kong primary schools, kindergartens, etc. Since March 13 will be closed for two weeks starting all, to prevent the epidemic from expanding.

中新社发王丽南摄

China news agency, Wang Linan perturbation

June 12 - According to the Hong Kong Ta Kung Pao, Hong Kong Secretary for Health and Food York Chow said on the 11th, according to the Department of Health expert panel recommended the vaccine will be the beginning of the year, for 2-year-old to 6-year-old children vaccinated against Influenza vaccine, estimated to 300,000 people.

Dr Chow said next week on the proposed first phase is from 2 to 6-year-old children inoculated prevention of influenza vaccine to report to the Legislative CouncilDr Chow explained that the vaccination will not cover all children under age 12, because the child must first understand the side effects of the vaccine and then decide whether or not depends on the effectiveness of further expansion.

Dr Chow said: "The sudden increase may be too many side effects, complications of the figures is one of the considerations?? If the beginning of this year vaccinated, 2-6 overall after the age of side effects and complications of the disease rate is very low and affordable, We will further increase to other sectors. "

Dr Chow said, has yet to determine the details of the proposal, including whether the SAR Government to assume full or only partially funded. As for the vaccination, in addition to by the Department of Health or the Hospital Authority is responsible for, it is also possible with the cooperation of private doctors. As for the money, he said that unknown, because it depends on the purchase of the vaccine, but the cost involved is not big problem, I believe the SAR Government can afford.

In addition, the first phase of health care reform consultation concluded on Friday, Dr Chow said the society have different views on the various options, the SAR Government will integrate the first half of next year, the second consultation paper, would be to make more specific discussions. http://66.102.9.104/translate_c?hl=e...57453018.shtml

[Giuseppe]

Re: _|HONG KONG, Gov Rpts - SAR, INFLUENZA-LIKE ILLNESS AND ARI UPDATE(S)|_|MARCH 23+|

Man with influenza symptoms reported to CHP
June 16 2008, 8.42.00

In response to media enquiries, a spokesman for the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health said that the centre today (June 16) received a report involving a 54-year-old man who presented with influenza symptoms.

The patient attended Caritas Medical Centre this morning for symptoms including fever and cough, and was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital for treatment.

The spokesman said the patient was a contract worker of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department responsible for cleaning work in Po On Road Market, Sham Shui Po, earlier.

Preliminary investigation of the patient by rapid tests for influenza yielded positive results for Influenza B.

Test results for Influenza H5 are pending.

The man's family members do not have influenza symptoms at the moment.

Further investigation by CHP is on-going.
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http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/rss/general_en.xml

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[Giuseppe]

Re: _|HONG KONG, Gov Rpts - SAR, INFLUENZA-LIKE ILLNESS AND ARI UPDATE(S)|_|MARCH 23+|

Recommendations on influenza vaccination for 2008/09 announced
June 16 2008, 10.13.00

The Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases (SCVPD) under the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (June 16) released its recommendations for the coming 2008/09 influenza season, recommending nine categories of people to receive vaccination against influenza.

Apart from the target groups recommended last year, a CHP spokesman said the committee had expanded the recommendation to children aged from two to five years owing to their higher hospitalisation rate compared with the general population.

The nine recommended target groups for the coming influenza season are:

1) elderly persons living in residential care homes;

2) long-stay residents of institutions for the disabled;

3) elderly persons aged 65 years or above;

4) persons with chronic illnesses;

5) health care workers;

6) poultry workers;

7) children aged from six to 23 months;

8) pregnant women; and

9) children aged from two to five years.

Persons with chronic illness mainly refer to those who have chronic circulatory, lung, metabolic or renal diseases, those whose immune response are reduced or defective, and those with chronic neurological disorders that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions or that can increase the risk for aspiration or those who lack the ability to care for themselves.

The SCVPD recommended vaccines to be used in the 2008/09 season (northern hemisphere winter) would comprise A/Brisbane/59/2007 (H1N1)-like virus, A/Brisbane/10/2007 (H3N2)-like virus and B/Florida/4/2006-like virus.

The Government is now studying the new SCVPD recommendations and is considering how best to encourage children aged from six months to five years to be vaccinated against influenza.

Concerning other target groups which were the same as last year's, the Government Influenza Vaccination Programme (GIVP) will continue to provide free vaccination to the following eligible groups for the 2008/09 flu season:

1) elderly persons living in residential care homes;

2) long-stay residents of institutions for the disabled;

3) elderly persons aged 65 years or above with chronic illness and being followed up in public clinics, as well as those aged 65 years or above receiving Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA);

4) persons under 65 years with chronic illness receiving CSSA, and some long-stay Hospital Authority (HA) in-patients who have chronic illness;

5) health care workers of the DH, HA and other government departments, as well as health care workers in elderly homes or institutions for the disabled;

6) poultry workers or staff who may be involved in poultry culling operations;

7) children aged from six to 23 months from families receiving CSSA; and

8) pregnant women receiving CSSA.

"The infrastructure under the GIVP will continue to provide free vaccination services to the eligible target groups through hospitals and clinics under the DH and HA. Details of the GIVP will be announced this summer," the CHP spokesman said.

Members of the public not included in the recommendations who wish to obtain influenza vaccine for their personal protection are advised to consult their private doctors, the spokesman said.

"The success of influenza vaccination requires collaboration between the public and private sectors," the spokesman said.

"In this regard, CHP will send letters to doctors to promulgate the recommendations, so that they can make estimations to order vaccines early to avoid vaccine shortage problems."

To prevent influenza and other respiratory tract infections, the spokesman advised members of the public to adopt a healthy lifestyle as well as adhere to good personal and environmental hygiene.

They should observe the following measures:
* build up good body immunity by having a proper diet, regular exercise and adequate rest, reducing stress and avoiding smoking;
* maintain good personal hygiene, and wash hands after sneezing, coughing or cleaning the nose;
* maintain good ventilation;
* avoid visiting crowded places with poor ventilation; and
* wear a mask if having symptoms of respiratory infection.

The SCVPD recommendations can be accessed at CHP's website: www.chp.gov.hk.
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http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/rss/general_en.xml

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[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: _|HONG KONG, Gov Rpts - SAR, INFLUENZA-LIKE ILLNESS AND ARI UPDATE(S)|_|MARCH 23+|

June 16, 2008

Surveillance

Cleaning worker tests negative for avian flu

A Food & Environmental Hygiene Department contract worker who fell ill after helping clean Po On Road Market after its recent avian influenza outbreak has tested negative for H5-influenza.

The Centre for Health Protection said the 54-year-old man was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital for treatment today after coming down with a fever and cough.

He has tested positive for influenza-B.

http://www.news.gov.hk/en/category/healthandcommunity/080616/txt/080616en05006.htm

[Giuseppe]

Re: _|HONG KONG, Gov Rpts - SAR, INFLUENZA-LIKE ILLNESS AND ARI UPDATE(S)|_|MARCH 23+|

Public reminded to be vigilant against upper respiratory tract infection
June 23 2008, 13.30.05

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 23) called on members of the public and management of institutions to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene to prevent upper respiratory tract infection (URI).

The appeal was made following CHP's investigation into two reports of URI outbreaks in a nursery school and a home for the elderly.

The first case affected 28 children aged between one and five in a nursery in Wong Tai Sin.

They developed symptoms of URI, including fever, cough, runny nose and sore throat between June 3 and 20.

Of them, a three-year-old boy was admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital and was discharged.

Other affected children consulted general practitioners or out-patient clinics and are now in stable condition.

In the second case, 19 residents and two staff members aged between 40 and 97 were affected in an elderly home in Sham Shui Po.

They presented with URI symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose and sore throat from June 13 to 21.

Two of them were admitted to Caritas Medical Centre while others consulted general practitioners or out-patient clinics. All of them are in stable condition.

Staff of the CHP have conducted field visit to these institutions and provided health instructions to their staff.

CHP will continue to closely monitor the institution.

To prevent upper respiratory tract infection and influenza, the public are advised to adopt the following measures:
* Build up good body immunity by having a proper diet, regular exercise and adequate rest, reducing stress and avoiding smoking;
* Maintain good personal hygiene, wash hands after sneezing or coughing and wear a mask when developing symptoms of respiratory infections;
* Maintain good ventilation; and
* Avoid visiting crowded places with poor ventilation, especially during peak influenza season.

Members of the public, particularly children, elderly people and those with chronic diseases, should wear face masks and consult their doctors for medical advice promptly if they develop symptoms of respiratory tract infection.

More information on the disease is available on the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk).
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http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/rss/general_en.xml

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[Giuseppe]

Re: _|HONG KONG, Gov Rpts - SAR, INFLUENZA-LIKE ILLNESS AND ARI UPDATE(S)|_|MARCH 23+|

DH's response to reporting of a suspected TB case
June 30 2008, 14.42.20

In response to media enquiries concerning the reporting of a suspected tuberculosis (TB) case by a private hospital, a spokesman for the Department of Health (DH) today (June 30) reiterated that the department took a vigilant stand on this incident.

"A letter has been sent to the hospital reminding the management to look into its internal reporting procedures. The hospital gave a positive response in enhancing its reporting and workflow arrangement to ensure timely reporting," the spokesman said. He said that under the Quarantine and Prevention of Disease Ordinance, registered medical practitioners were obliged to report statutory notifiable diseases including (TB) to DH, whether it was suspected or confirmed.

"Timely notification is important for the effective control and prevention of infectious diseases.

"Positive finding of sputum test by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Mycobacterium TB constitutes sufficient suspicion to make a notification to DH," the spokesman said.

Regarding the case involving a 29-year-old woman, the spokesman said the culture for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) conducted by Queen Mary Hospital showed no growth of the TB bacterium after more than nine weeks and it was determined a negative test result.

DH will continue to liaise with health authorities in the United Kingdom, where the patient concerned passed away on April 24, to ascertain the culture results there.

Meanwhile, the two patients diagnosed with TB during contact tracing had received treatment and recovering well.

One of them was diagnosed to have active TB (non-open TB) and the other was diagnosed to have latent TB infection.

"Since the incubation period of TB is comparatively long, we consider it unlikely that their condition was related to the 29-year-old woman, whose diagnosis of TB is yet to be determined," the spokesman said.

http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200806/30/P200806300277.htm

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[Giuseppe]

Re: _|HONG KONG, Gov Rpts - SAR, INFLUENZA-LIKE ILLNESS AND ARI UPDATE(S)|_|MARCH 23+|

No public health risk in HK after British woman dies from tuberculosis

By Channel NewsAsia's Roland Lim | Posted: 30 June 2008 1931 hrs

HONG KONG:

In Hong Kong, two people have been diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) after being in contact with a British woman who died from the disease recently.

The city's health authority has managed to trace more than 300 people believed to have been in contact with her.

However, its infectious diseases unit does not believe the latest incident poses a public health risk.

29-year-old Clare Lennon, who taught at a Hong Kong primary school, was treated for persistent coughing at St Paul's Hospital between April 10 and 15.

Initial tests proved negative for tuberculosis (TB). She later took a plane back to England where she died on April 24.

Since then, Hong Kong's health department has traced all 328 people who had physical contact with her, mostly her students and colleagues at school and the passengers on the flight she had boarded.

Dr Thomas Tsang, Controller, Centre for Health Protection, said: "The two cases which we discovered on contact-tracing have been put on TB-treatment and they're doing fine and recovering very well.

"And I think now that the patient has already left Hong Kong and we have conducted a very thorough contact-tracing investigation, the risk in terms of that patient is no longer there."

St Paul's Hospital, which treated her, has come under fire for alerting the authorities ten days after she was found to have tested positive for TB.

This was a considerable delay from the time the hospital learnt about the test results.

British health authorities are still trying to ascertain the woman's cause of death.

Apart from TB, she had also been diagnosed with lymphoma, a cancer. It is also not known where she caught the TB from.

In the past two years, there has been an average of around 5,700 cases of TB in Hong Kong, out of a population of nearly seven million. - CNA/vm
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http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/eastasia/view/357332/1/.html

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[Giuseppe]

Re: _|HONG KONG, Gov Rpts - SAR, INFLUENZA-LIKE ILLNESS AND ARI UPDATE(S)|_|MARCH 23+|

Outbreak of respiratory tract infection in a child residential home
July 3 2008, 12.36.18

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating an outbreak of respiratory tract infection affecting 20 children of a childhood residential care home in Causeway Bay.

A CHP spokesman said today (July 3) that the affected children, comprising eight boys and 12 girls aged from six months to three years old, had developed symptoms of respiratory tract infection, including fever, cough and sore throat, between June 18 and July 2.

Eleven children consulted private doctors or out-patient clinics while four of them were admitted to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital.

Respiratory samples of one of the hospitalised children yielded positive result to Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).

CHP officials have conducted field visits to the hostel and provided health instructions to staff. An investigation is on-going.

The spokesman said that RSV was spread by direct contact with infectious secretions and can be easily transmitted among individuals in institutional settings.

"The incubation period is one to 10 days and is usually five to seven days. Common symptoms include fever, chills, headache and decreased appetite," he said.

To prevent respiratory tract infection caused by RSV, people are advised to take the following measures:
* Maintain good personal and environmental hygiene;
* Keep hands clean and wash hands properly;
* Wash hands when they are contaminated by respiratory secretions;
* Cover nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and mouth discharge properly;
* Infected people should avoid contact with children or those with low body resistance.
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http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200807/03/P200807030201.htm

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[Giuseppe]

Re: _|HONG KONG, Gov Rpts - SAR, INFLUENZA-LIKE ILLNESS AND ARI UPDATE(S)|_|MARCH 23+|

Vigilance against seasonal RSV urged
July 4 2008, 13.31.00

A spokesman for the Centre for Heath Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (July 4) reminded people, in particular parents and management of schools and institutions to take stringent infection control measures against respiratory tract infection caused by Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).

The appeal was made in view of an increasing number of RSV detections in the past two weeks.

The spokesman said that the peak season for RSV in Hong Kong was usually between March and August.

"Our surveillance indicated that the RSV activity was on the increase," the spokesman said.

He said the baseline RSV detection was less than 20 per week. This year, Hong Kong experienced a brief upsurge in March with the highest detection of 70 in a week.

RSV detections in the past two weeks were again on the rising trend.

During the week ending June 28 there were 54 viral detections by the Public Health Laboratory Centre. Thirteen RSV outbreaks have been reported to the CHP so far this year, affecting a total of 214 people.

There were 13 and 30 RSV outbreaks recorded in 2006 and 2007 affecting 185 and 319 people respectively.

"RSV is a common cause of respiratory tract infection. It usually affects elderly people and young children at the age of five or below," the spokesman said.

The disease is spread by direct contact with infectious secretions and can be easily transmitted among individuals in institutional settings.

"The incubation period is one to 10 days and is usually five to seven days.

Common symptoms include fever, chills, headache and decreased appetite," he noted.

To prevent respiratory tract infection caused by RSV, people are advised to take the following measures:
* Maintain good personal and environmental hygiene;
* Keep hands clean and wash hands properly;
* Wash hands when they are contaminated by respiratory secretions;
* Cover nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and mouth discharge properly;
* Infected persons should avoid contact with children or those with low body resistance.
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http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200807/04/P200807040226.htm

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[Giuseppe]

Re: _|HONG KONG, Gov Rpts - SAR, INFLUENZA-LIKE ILLNESS AND ARI UPDATE(S)|_|MARCH 23+|

Public hospitals return to alert response level
July 9 2008, 10.58.00

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: Following the government announcement today (July 9) on scaling down the response level for avian influenza from "serious" to "alert", public hospitals under the Hospital Authority (HA) will also revert to Alert Response Level.

Under the Alert Response Level, the following arrangements will be implemented in public hospitals and clinics:

* Visiting hours will be returned to not more than four hours per day and not more than two visitors per visit for all acute wards; and not more than six hours per day and not more than two visitors for all convalescent hospitals.

* Visitors and patients who have respiratory infection symptoms will need to wear surgical mask in public hospitals and clinics.

* All staff, patients and visitors are required to practise hand hygiene at all times.

* The HA laboratory network will return to normal operating hours.

* The triage assessment for fever patients with respiratory symptoms will continue at Accident & Emergency Departments and General Outpatient Clinics.

Posters and notices at public hospitals will be updated to remind the public the current arrangements.

The Hospital Authority will continue to closely liaise with the Centre for Health Protection to keep the public and professionals informed of the updated situation and relevant information.
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http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200807/09/P200807090251.htm

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